Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-04-09

W0O. WIFI IDe CGDtilnteuEtUl, SUOulu Gull
stitute the School Board.
April 2. 1856, an Act was passed to regu-
late the fire department. 1t provided for
the election of officers and the regulation
of the department generally.
CONSOLIDATION OF THE CITY AND COUNTY
GOVERNMENTS.
On April "a, 1858, law was enacted to
consolidate the governments of the city and
county. The Board of Supervisors was
given the power which had been vested ia
the Council. On the first Monday of May
following five Supervisors were to be
elected, to hold office until October 5, 1855
There was also, at the same time, to be
elected President of the Board, to con-
tinue in office until the general election in
1859, the term of Office to be thereafter two
years. After the first Monday of October
1858. the Board was to consist of a Pfesi-
dent and eight members, and the members
were to be elected at the general election in
that year-four to hold Office for two years
and four for one year. After the first cleo
ton the term was to be for two years. At
the general election in 1853, and every two
years thereafter, there were to be elected
the other officers, who were to perform
duty both for the county and city. The
President of the Board was TO be ex officio
Mayor of the city, and Superintendent of
the Streets and Water Works. The then
county officers were required to perform
such city duties as might be imposed upon
them by the Board, and the Board was en-
powered to create and fill by appointment
the minor city offices. Some changes were
also made in the government of the Fire
and School Departments.
PASSAGE OF THE PRESENT CITY CHARTER.
On April 25, 1868, the Consolidation Act
was repealed and a new city charter
passed. 1t provided that the government
should be vested IN a Board of three Trus-
tees The first Trustee was to be &c 0tfcio
Mayor; the second, Street Commissioner,
and the third, Superintendent ofth Water
Works. There should also be an Auditor,
Assessor, Collector, Police Judge and such
other officers as might be appointed by the
Board. The term of Office of the Trus-
tees was made three years, and that of the
other officers two years. 1t was provided
that on the tenth day after the passage of
the Act city election should be held, at
which the offices above designated should
be filled and that annually thereafter, on
the second Tuesday in March, city elections
should be held. At the election in 1864
there should be elected Third Trustee, in
1865 Second Trustee, Assessor, Collector,
Auditor and Judge, and in 1866 a First
Trustee, to hold for the terms indicated.
A vacancy in the Board was to be filed bv
a special election, and vacancy in any
other office was to be filled by appointment
by the Board. Provision was also made
for the Fire and School Departments
With the exception of slight change in
the boundaries of the city, and as to the
time of election of officers other than
members of the Board, no change has
since been made in the city charter In
1872 bill was passed creating paid Fire
Department; another to provide a new
organize the police force.
THE FIRST MAYOR ELECTED.
The first city election under the new
State government was held April /, 1850.
In the issue of the Placer Times of March
10th, a. N. VIM announced himself
as candidate for Mayor, but
on the 30th he published his
withdrawal One Joseph Grant was can
didate for Mayor on the Rancho" ticket,
the advertisement of which in the news
ran as follows:
Rancheros to the Rescue The enemy is in
the field Our bills have been mutilated and,
in some instances, destroyed but let not your
" angry passions rise" in consequence of the
indignity. Initiate as far as in your power lies,
the example of your leader Keep cool. work
hard and vote early. Remember that abuse
and curses, like young chickens, come home
to roost." When once the votes are in the bal
lot-boxi no appeal can be taken.
HoMEBREs
RANCHO TICKET.
Through by Daylight!
[Then followed the city ticket
RANCHO TICKET-FoR THE COUNTY.
Here followed the county ticket, on
which Judge w. C. Wallace was elected
District Attorney, and the late Presley
Dunlap County Clerk
In speaking of the first city and county
election, the Placer Times of April 6, 1850,
said:
Last Monday was great day for Sacramento,
so far as excitement and fun were concerned.
the multiplicity of candidates, there was little
else manifested but good humor, and dispOsi-
ton to have Il good time, whatever the result.
Mr.. Bigelow was elected Mayor by handsome
majority, considering the many organizations
with which he had to contend. Without wish
ing to say anything detrimental to others, we
must be allowed to express the opinion that Mr..
B. will make an excellent officer. His interests
are identified with those of Sacramento and TO
promote her advancement toward that i'm
portance and greatness which she is destined to
reach will be his constant aim. We should not
speak so confidently did not our personal
knowledge of the new Mayor warrant us in so
doing. The other city and county officers, we
believe, are all good men, and we doubt not
will attend to the duties of their respective
offices with promptness and fidelity.
The number of votes cast for Mayor was
2,576, of which Hardin Bigelow had 1921.
Joseph Grant 432, Thomas j. Henley oil,
?. r. Haight 1l2, and 40 scattering. On
ba "A Grant 6lpd q r,rotaSt aooir,Sf tho off
GERS qualifying, upon the ground that
fraud and irregularity had entered into the
election, but it does not appear that any
action was taken on his protest. Bigelow
assumed office, and sent in an
able message to the Council. In the squat
ter riots of that year he was severely
wounded, and before recovering was seized
with cholera, and died at San Francisco
November 81 1850. at the age of Al. He
was native of Michigan, and was q man
of exceeding courage and fine executive
ability. After his death, the President of
the Council temporarily acted as Mayor.
WHO OUR MAYORS HAVE BEEN.
A special election was held December IA,
1850. to choose a Mayer. In the early part
of the day Of election there was no excite
ment, but as the day advanced, although
the rain fell in torrents, the excitement be-
came intense. Bands of music paraded
the streets, aud every effort was used by
both parties to secure the success of their
candidate. Horace Smith (Whig) was
elected by vote of 933, 10 sos for J. +.
Democrat, 1S3 for james
McClatcby, p for Wesley Merritt and 10
for Joseph Grant, Independent candidates
On May 5, 1851, J d. r. Hardenbergh Dem
ocra) was elected Mayor, by a vote of
], 264 to 224 for Joseph H Nevett (Whigl
On the day of election an extensive fire
broke out in San Francisco, which de-
stroyed 81 100000 worth of property. The
excitement consequent on the reception of
this intelligence somewhat dampened the
ardor of the voters.
On April 5, 1852, C. 1. Hutchinson
(Whig) defeated Hardenbergh Cd by a
vote of 1,450 to l ,234. This election was
exciting. Mass meetings were
held at different points in the city, and
there was no end to the mud-throwiDg.
Hardenbergh was again successful, how
ever, at the election on April 4. 1858, de-
feating his Wing opponent, w. H. Nc
Grew. by vote of 9, 0f6 to 1882 On March
2Sth the Wing Convention bad nominated
DIR. Nelney Spaulding for the Office, but he
declined, and on the 30ih the nomination
was given to MeGrew.
On April 3, 1854, K. P. Johnson fWhig) |
was elected by vote of ], 7SS over Colonel |
John P. Hall Dem. who received !. 500. |
James L. English tAmeriean) was elected |
hayor on April 9 1850 by n vote of 59s |